asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state when the lands of a person in Belcarrig, Ballycanew, Gorey, County Wexford, will be dealt with under the land reclamation scheme in view of the fact that it is nearly five years since he applied to have 50 acres on his farm rehabilitated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Reclamation Application.
Mr. Walsh
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave on the 16th April to a similar question by Deputy O'Donnell.
Has the Minister received a very large number of complaints from different parts of the country that work on the land rehabilitation project has been slowed up very considerably and, if so, is he of opinion that there is any ground for these complaints?
Mr. Walsh
It is not the practice to discuss private matters in this House.
I am asking if he has got general complaints from the country.
Mr. Walsh
No.
What connection has Deputy O'Donnell with a farm down in County Wexford? I have asked a question about a farmer who has been waiting five years to have his land drained. Will the Minister reply to my question and not refer me to some answer he gave to Deputy O'Donnell who has no connection with the matter?
Mr. Walsh
I have told the Deputy it is not the practice to discuss private matters in this House.
I am asking the Minister to give me this information. Is he not responsible for the land rehabilitation scheme? This farmer has been waiting five years to have his land drained. Can the Minister not giveme an answer as to whether it is going to be done or not? I have not had an answer to my question.
There is no precedent whatever for a Minister refusing to answer a question of this character, when the identity of the person referred to in the question has been communicated to him outside the House.
There is no power vested in me to force anybody to answer questions.
May I ask if the Minister will specially reconsider the case raised by Deputy Esmonde after next Sunday, should this farmer subscribe generously to Fianna Fáil funds?
It is next Sunday week.
If he will subscribe to Fianna Fáil, he will have the work done in no time.